Improvement in explosive compounds



UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIcE.

JARL WALTER VOLNEY. OF BOSTON, ,MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT IN EXPLOSIVE COMPOUNDS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent llo. 157,] 43, dated November 24, 1874; application filed July 23, 1874.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CARL VVALTER, VoL- NEY, of Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented a certain Explosive Compound called Volneys Powder, of which the following is a specification:

The nature of my invention consists in mixing nitrated naphthaline with an oxidizing agent. This nitrated naphthaline is obtained by the action of nitric acid upon naphthaline,

The resultpf this treatment of naphthaline is a yellow substance, consisting of mono, di, tri, or tetra nitro-naphthaline, in which one or more atoms of nitrogen-tetroxide are substituted for the corresponding number-of h ydrogen atoms. Strong nitric acid and high temperature will produce the higher nitratcd bodies, as di and tri nitro-naphthaline. From Weaker acid and lower temperatures mono and di nitro-naphthaline will result.

All those ditferent nitro bodies will form useful explosive compounds when mixed with equivalent quantities of an oxidizing agent, which can supply snflicicnt oxygen to oxidize the surplus of carbon, more or less oxygen being furnished by the nitrogen-tetroxide of the nitro-naphthalines; and it follows that the higher the naphthaline has been nitrated the less of the oxidizing agent will be needed, but the greater will be the breaking power of the explosive compound.

This quality I make use of to prcpnrcpow ders of different strength in the following manner:

To prepare an explosive of great breaking power, for the filling of torpedoes, submarine blasting, blasting of.hard rock, &c., I treat naphthaline with strong nitro-sulphuric acid (two parts sulphuric acid of 1.84 specific gravity, and ,one part nitric acid of -1.5 specifigravity) at a temperature of 212 Fahrenheit. One hundred pounds of naphthaline require four hundred pounds of this acid. The reaction is finished in one hour. I All the naphtha line is then converted into a yellow crystalline mass, which is thoroughly washed with water, dried, and pulverized. It consists mainly of di and tri nitro-naphthaline, and'I not ignite packages, brought in contact with fire, it will call it, for this. purpose, Nitrated Naphthaline No.1.

A. good blasting-powder of great breaking power is obtainedin thoroughly mixing the following substances: 2.18 pounds nitrate-d naphthaline No. I, 0.19 pound saltpeter, 0.16 pound sulphur.

To prepare an explosive of less breaking power, which is, therefore, better adapted for military purp0ses,blasting in soft and fissured rock, as gypsum, limestone, 850., I incorporate one hundred pounds of naphtha-line into. four hundred pounds of nitric acid of 1.40 specific gravity, leaving these substances in contact for four or five days. The naphthaline is converted into a brown crystalline mass,which is washed with water dried, and pulverized. It consists mainly of it, for this purpose, No. 11.

The required explosive compound is formed by mixing thoroughly 1 pound nitrated naphthaline No. II, 3.30 pounds saltpeter, 0.51 pound sulphur.

Nitrated Naphth aline All these substances can be pulverized,

mixed, and treated in the same manner as the substances for and in the manufacture of common blasting or gun powder. Instead of saltpetcr, any other nitrate, or any chlorate, as sodiumnitrate, potassium chlorate, may be used.

The powders prepared of yellow color. Friction or explode them. In unconfined ignite and burn, but not explode. Before coninicncing thus to ignite, the powder will first partially melt, and then burn.

To elfect an explosion when desired, caps with mercury fuhninate, or a small addition of gun-cotton or nitro-glycerine, must be used. The heat and concussion instantaneously developed by these bodies in their explosions will explode these powders. The same may be used with or without confinement, but the Their indifl'erence to friction, concussion,

mono nitronaphthaline, 1 and more or less di nitro-naphthaline; I call in this manner are or concussion will and hem; under all circumstances render their handling and transportation safe. Their effective labor is very great.

I claim .as my invention- The explosive eompbund :composed of nitrated naplitlmline, substantially as described, and an oxidizing agent, prepared in the manner aiul substantiallyin the proportions and for the purposes set forth.

CARL W. VOLNEY. Witnesses GEORGE E. LINDLEY; JNO. L, LINDLEY. 

